Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 101 Huge Impact! Nationwide Electrification!

After the boss and everyone else left the command center.

"Comrade Chen Ming, we've finally been waiting for you."

Before seeing him, one hears of him.

Before Chen Ming even met the boss, he heard the boss's happy voice.

Upon seeing the person, Chen Ming immediately gave a military salute.

"Greetings, Commander. Chen Ming from the Independent Detachment is reporting for duty. Please give instructions."

"Haha, not bad, you look more and more energetic after a few months," the boss said with a smile.

"The Independent Detachment fought a brilliant battle in this annihilation campaign, demonstrating the spirit of our Eighth Route Army and dealing a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Japanese army."

"It's all thanks to the excellent overall command and coordination of the leaders, as well as the cooperation of other brother units. Without them, the soldiers of the Independent Detachment wouldn't have been able to fight the Japanese with peace of mind," Chen Ming immediately said.

"Haha, you rascal." The boss waved his hand with a laugh. "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

"Yes."

Upon entering the command center, Chen Ming did not refuse under the orders of his superior.

Using the headquarters map, he described in detail the specifics of the Independent Detachment's annihilation of the main force of the Fourth Brigade, including the combat process, personnel configuration, and tactical command.

Chen Ming systematically applied the core theory of deep penetration and flanking maneuvers, which involves breaking through enemy lines with multiple successive attacks and then rapidly advancing into the enemy's rear to divide and encircle them, thereby dismantling their defensive system.

The theory of achieving absolute numerical superiority in local battlefields and concentrating forces to annihilate the enemy's manpower.

Based on this practical experience, everything was explained in a step-by-step manner, from simple to complex.

The leaders were all highly skilled in military affairs. After listening to Chen Ming's theory, which incorporated practical experience, they immediately realized that it was a very feasible strategic theory.

This tactic overturned the traditional theoretical rules of land warfare, leaving several leaders utterly shocked.

Traditional tactics within our army, during the Red Army period, mainly consisted of guerrilla warfare and mobile warfare, emphasizing luring the enemy deep into our territory.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the main type of warfare was sabotage, which was relatively small in scale, such as the sabotage of the Zhengtai Railway during the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

The deep defense system only began to emerge in the early stages of the Liberation War.

"The key to this tactic is the control of battlefield information, isn't it?" the division commander said at this moment.

“That’s right. The key to implementing this tactic is to understand the information of both sides and to infiltrate the enemy’s key locations before they discover us,” Chen Ming nodded and said.

As expected of a mentor, one of the founders of the Great Horizon Theory, he so quickly and astutely discovered the key points of the Great Horizon Theory.

“A very constructive tactic. If used well, I feel that 100,000 men can be used as effectively as 500,000.”

"Comrade Chen Ming, would you be interested in giving a lecture at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and teaching this theory to our commanders and soldiers?"

The boss also gave it high praise, saying that this tactic, which combines practical experience and produces impressive results, is very advanced and worth promoting and learning.

Even if we don't need it now, we should still establish a systematic theoretical framework first.

"No problem." Chen Ming did not refuse.

Advanced tactics should not be kept secret. They should be promoted and systematized into a theoretical framework. Even if they are not suitable for our army in the current period, other tactics can be developed according to local conditions.

Furthermore, regarding teaching at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, this does not refer to going to the rear, but rather to the branch campus of the university located on the front lines. Chen Ming does not need to return to the rear.

He only needs to spare some time to attend a few classes, which won't take up too much of Chen Ming's time.

After discussing the independent detachment's combat operations and tactical theories, the group then moved on to the Battle of Southern Shanxi.

"The defeat of the Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain is now a foregone conclusion. Once the Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain is gone, the Japanese will be able to free up their resources to focus on sweeping away our troops," the division commander said.

"Yes, sixteen divisions, more than 100,000 men, were defeated in just half a month. Even if you put more than 100,000 pigs in Zhongtiao Mountain, the Japanese wouldn't be able to catch them all in half a month," the commander said angrily.

“The Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain collapsed so quickly, and the Japanese didn’t even expend much strength. They are very likely to launch a large-scale mopping-up operation against our base area in the near future. We need to prepare in advance,” Chen Ming added.

Just two months after the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain ended, a large force was assembled and a massive mopping-up operation was launched.

The Japanese military increased its military pressure on the country, the international situation deteriorated, domestic resources were depleted, and natural disasters occurred frequently, creating multiple problems in the military, economy, and politics.

Thus began the most difficult period of our army's War of Resistance against Japan.

"Yes, we need to prepare in advance," the boss said.

In the original history, our army leaders had already foreseen the Japanese army's impending large-scale mopping-up operation based on the Nationalist army's defeat in the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain.

After the meeting, Chen Ming returned to the Independent Detachment's base with the orders.

At the same time, the rear also received the battle report sent back from headquarters.

They highly praised the impressive performance of the independent detachment.

Chen Ming also received commendation from the rear.

At the same time, a telegram in plain text was sent to the whole country, reporting that the Independent Detachment had annihilated a large number of the main forces of the Japanese army.

The developed battlefield photos were also delivered to major newspapers as quickly as possible via underground transportation lines.

Some of them were controlled by our party, while others were controlled by the Nationalist government.

The instructions from the rear were that, at this critical juncture, the entire nation must be made aware of this war in order to boost the people's determination to resist Japan.

At the Jin-Sui Army headquarters, Yan Gongji looked grimly at the battle reports and photos sent by the Eighth Route Army, with the results of the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain next to him.

He was in a bad mood. The defeat in the Battle of Southern Shanxi meant that the situation in Shanxi Province was about to become unbalanced, and his Jin-Sui Army might not even be able to stay in one corner anymore.

He was a commander of the Second World War Army. If he were driven out of Shanxi Province, what face would he have left as the commander of the Second World War Zone?
Most importantly, even if the Central Army was incompetent, after such a huge defeat, with the Central Army bearing the brunt of the damage, he wouldn't lose too much face.

But now, the Eighth Route Army has annihilated the main force of the Japanese Independent Mixed Fourth Brigade, nearly four thousand Japanese soldiers.

In the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Central Army, numbering over 100,000, was no match for even a single unorganized detachment of the Eighth Route Army!
"First, the Central Army arrived in Shanxi Province, and now the Eighth Route Army has risen up. From now on, will Shanxi Province belong to the Chang or the Eighth?"

The castrated rooster glared at his subordinates with an unfriendly tone.

"Why isn't anyone saying anything? Aren't you usually very talkative? Why are you pretending to be mute at a time like this? All of you, think of a solution!"

The officers of the Jin-Sui Army were so intimidated by the castrated rooster that they dared not even breathe loudly.

They knew their superior's temper well; anyone who dared to speak up at this time would be in for a world of trouble.

Looking at his subordinates who were all bowing their heads and wouldn't utter a sound even after being hit three times, Yan Gongji felt helpless.

The situation was becoming increasingly out of his control.

The meeting ended hastily, and after it was over, the chief of staff approached the castrated rooster.

"Sir, since the Eighth Route Army's battle report has been sent to us, it must have been sent to other places as well. It will be very difficult to suppress it."

"I think we should go with the flow. The Eighth Route Army is still part of our Second War Zone. They deserve credit for their achievements, and as their commander, you naturally deserve credit as well. I think we can do it this way."

After listening to the chief of staff's words, the castrated rooster thought about it and realized it made a lot of sense.

The Eighth Route Army was nominally under the Second War Zone, so weren't the battles fought by the Eighth Route Army the same battles fought by them?
Not long after, a newspaper titled "Under the instructions of the commander of the Second War Zone, the Second War Zone annihilated the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 4 at Wutai and killed the brigade commander, a major general" began to be printed by the newspaper office controlled by the Jin-Sui Army.

National government.

"Niang Xipi!"

Chiang Kai-shek angrily cursed.

In the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Central Army collapsed at the first contact, suffering its most humiliating defeat since the start of the War of Resistance against Japan.

At this critical moment, the Eighth Route Army actually seized the opportunity to win such a great victory, which was far worse than their performance in the Zhongtiao Mountains.

At that moment, his determination to eliminate the Communist Party became even stronger.

In such a short time, the Eighth Route Army had the strength to annihilate a Japanese brigade, and even more so, a detachment.

If the Eighth Route Army were allowed to continue growing, it would be even more difficult to deal with the Communist Party.

However, Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to promote the Independent Detachment's battle report.

The impact of the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain was so severe that without good news of victory, the nation's confidence in the war of resistance would be dealt another blow.

The key issue is that even the international community may be less optimistic about the domestic situation.

"Publish this battle report and the photos," Chiang Kai-shek said reluctantly, pinching his nose as he ordered the newspaper to be printed.

We have to make a decision quickly. The castrated rooster was too fast; he was closest to the Eighth Route Army and received the news first.

As a businessman, the castrated rooster knew that time was money. As soon as he received the battle report, he published the newspaper and secretly slandered Chiang Kai-shek.

He said that under his command, the troops in the Second World War Zone could annihilate a Japanese brigade, while the hundreds of thousands of Central Army troops in Zhongtiao Mountain suffered a crushing defeat under Chiang Kai-shek's misguided command.

They completely shirked their responsibility.

Songhu.

Even late at night, the city that never sleeps is still brightly lit, a place of revelry and debauchery.

Beneath this extravagant city, in an underground communication station of our Party, an underground worker received an urgent intelligence report.

The intelligence contained battle reports from the independent detachment, battlefield photos, and instructions from superiors.

Upon receiving the intelligence, the underground party members, seeing the signature on the envelope, dared not delay and hurriedly ran into the president's office.

"President, important instructions from home!"

Inside the office, the president gently adjusted his glasses and asked:
"What important instructions?"

The member handed the envelope to the recipient, and the president's expression suddenly hardened when he saw the signature on it.

"Put it down, you can go out now."

He spoke.

"Yes."

After the members left, the president carefully checked the envelope before opening it. Upon seeing its contents, he was immediately overwhelmed with excitement.

"Great, great, that's wonderful."

He said "good" three times in a row.

The news brought by the envelope was incredibly exciting for him.

After the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Japanese army remained silent about the annihilation of the main force of the Independent Mixed 4th Brigade, but instead publicized the outcome of the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain extensively.

The citizens of Shanghai couldn't accept the Japanese propaganda, but the photos in the Japanese newspapers couldn't be faked.

For a time, the people were even more desperate about the future of the war of resistance, and there was not a glimmer of hope in the pitch-black night.

This intelligence rekindled a new hope in the president's heart.

He excitedly opened the door and said to the people outside:
"Immediately summon all those who have returned home back. The Eighth Route Army Independent Detachment annihilated the main force of a Japanese brigade in Wutai."

"I want to make this news the front page tomorrow, so that everyone knows that we have not given up, we are still fighting, and there is still hope for the future of our country."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Upon hearing the editor-in-chief's words, everyone still at the newspaper office became excited. Their faces flushed and their steps light as they pushed open the newspaper office door and ran towards it in the dark night, guided by the distant light.

Just like in Shanghai, after the news spread throughout the country, countless people, whether behind enemy lines or in areas that had not fallen, were overjoyed and rushed to spread the word.

In this darkest hour, the Independent Detachment's battle report was like a ray of dawn, piercing through layers of dark clouds and illuminating the darkness in their hearts.

Something called hope appeared in their hearts.

Faced with hope, even in dire straits, one should flee in panic.

At dawn, the sky over Shanghai was just beginning to brighten. As soon as the sun rose from afar, it pierced through the dark clouds, painting the inky sky with a warm red hue.

The newsboys began running around the streets.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The Eighth Route Army's Independent Detachment has annihilated the Japanese 4th Independent Mixed Brigade and killed its Major General Brigade Commander!"

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The Eighth Route Army's Independent Detachment has annihilated the Japanese 4th Independent Mixed Brigade and killed its Major General Brigade Commander!"

"Excuse me!"

Newsboys carried newspapers through the streets and alleys, delivering this inspiring news to everyone who cared about the country.

"Wait, what did you say?" A middle-aged man in a long gown grabbed a newsboy and asked incredulously.

The newsboy relayed the prepared message: "The Eighth Route Army's Independent Detachment annihilated the Japanese Fourth Independent Mixed Brigade, killing its major general brigade commander! There are even photos in the newspaper!"

"Do you have a photo? Give me a copy."

After the man paid, the newsboy handed him a newspaper.

The man's eyes immediately fell upon the photo, which showed Japanese corpses scattered across the hillsides. The photo was followed by a description of the battle report.

The more he looked, the blurrier his vision became, and the more his nose stung. Before long, the newspaper was covered with murky tears.

"Okay, okay," the man said, choking back tears.

"Wait, sell me a few more copies, I want to take them back to show my students."

The man grabbed the newsboy again.

With trembling hands, he took out some money and stuffed it into the newspaper boy's hand. After taking a few newspapers, he hurried to school.

"Sir, here's your change."

"Keep the change, please!"

The man said without turning his head.

He can't wait to tell his students and colleagues the good news; money is no longer important.

The newsboy stared blankly at the man's retreating figure. He was illiterate and didn't know what the words in the newspaper meant or what they represented.

In his naiveté, all he knew was that he could now earn more money.

"Have you heard? The Eighth Route Army won a great victory."

Several young people huddled together, discussing something.

"Shh, keep your voice down, it won't be good if the Japanese spies hear us," one of the young men warned.

“What’s there to be afraid of? I’m not only going to tell him, I’m going to tell my dad the news later so he can be happy too.”

"You're not going to class?"

"Class? My ass! Are we going to listen to the Japanese teaching them their language? After I tell my dad this, I'm definitely going to Shanxi Province," the young man said.

In order to achieve their goal of cultural invasion through dialogue, the Japanese army forced schools in the occupied areas to teach Japanese.

However, the Japanese language education did not achieve the expected results; instead, it stimulated national consciousness.

While learning Japanese, they gained a deeper understanding of the shame of being a subjugated people.

With the widespread dissemination of newspapers, the Japanese army could not achieve a complete blockade even if they wanted to.

Through the propaganda of newspapers within the concession, the news spread rapidly among the people in a fission-like manner.

Within a day, the people learned that a large number of the Japanese army's main forces had been wiped out and that the brigade commander had been killed.

To vent their excitement, many business owners have launched various promotional activities with all sorts of slogans.

Some say it's because the family's sow gave birth to several litters, while others say it's to celebrate their elderly mother's birthday.

Some even don't act at all, saying they're in a good mood today and just want to sell things at a lower price.

A piece of news inspired people and brought hope. On this ordinary day, festive scenes usually only seen during the Lunar New Year appeared in various places.

Chen Ming's filming of the harsh conditions in the field hospital successfully evoked empathy from people from all walks of life.

Seeing the harsh conditions faced by the Eighth Route Army soldiers, with wounded soldiers unable to even receive basic medical care and forced to lie in the open fields, one cannot help but feel a sense of loss.

This army, which was truly dedicated to fighting the Japanese, was in such harsh conditions that they felt they should do something and contribute their share.

Thus, inspired by some bold individuals, patriots donated money or supplies.

Another group of people packed their bags and prepared to go to Shanxi Province to fight the Japanese invaders with the Eighth Route Army.

The Eighth Route Army achieved such a remarkable victory, far surpassing that of the Central Army, and its significance is immense.

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(End of this chapter)